When Christians go door to door, why don't they get right to Balaam and his talking donkey?

Question

gorgeoustxwoman2: That's umm, what's what I'm asking. There's no punchline.

Answer 1

If they admit to the talking snakes and donkeys, they realize how silly they sound...

Now, if they stick with invisible gods and devils...

Well, you see...

Answer 2

1. Because christians have forgotten that it is SPIRIT which is supposed to guide them. THey now rely solely on a book of myths. And donkeys can't read or write, so...
2. Because they can't find that remote mountain range with the narrow path on it anymore, and nowadays, the tourists in the Grand Canyon ride only on 'christianized' trained mules.
3. Because it's easier to just go to church on Sunday, pretend to stay awake through the sermon and do some 'visitation' in the neighborhood - as long as it's not too far away.
4. Because by now, all the mistranslations and misinterpretations in the Bible have people firmly convinced that "God" can't possibly talk through anything other than a preacher on a pulpit.

Answer 3

I examine a rabbinical remark approximately this and located it desirable. there is a number of of be conscious play interior the story. whilst Balaam "beats" the donkey, it grow to be historical slang for another unsavory habit. the story has a ethical, insults Balaam. It actual on no account grow to be the donkey chatting with Balaam yet an angel. they have chanced on archaeological pagan references to Balaam son of Beor.., alongside with a Temple together with his call inscribed. i think it grow to be a tongue in cheek tale informed some genuine guy or woman, in a manner that insulted him as nicely as explaining some history.

Answer 4

Personally, I'm a Christian, and I refuse to go door to door. I'm too lazy. And even were I a good disciple, I find being a kind, yet principled person who helps out and leads by example is a better way to convert or be a good person than to go door to door...

With that aside complete, I will answer the question.

These door to door "Christians" either don't know their bibles very well, OR they're saving the best for last.

That's not an insult or punchline to your seemingly jokey question.

The story of Balaam is one of the best stories ever!

Here we have a sorcerer (or possibly just a sooth-sayer or con-artist) who IS evil at least from the greediness point of view. He is asked by a king who is enemy to Israel, "Hey would you go curse those guys for me?" Why would he ask such a thing? Well, because at this time, Balaam was known as "The Man" of men. Evil, greedy or otherwise, he WAS a "man of God". He knew God and that metaphysical world.

So, here we see the FIRST possible reason why this story is not always talked about by people trying to convert: The center character is EVIL (definitely NOT anything like a Christian except that he believes in God) YET he is the protagonist of the story, an important man courted by kings...this sort of suggests one can reject "goodness" or the "good" religions" and still be wise and successful (at least in life). The bible (Proverbs for example) makes it very clear, while God is just, life isn't. Sometimes the bad guy wins or gets the girl etc.

Sooo anyway, Balaam is courted and excessively sucked up to and threatened by this king to curse the Hebrews. Balaam refuses (out of disinterest or fear of God or both) over and over until eventually God tells Balaam in words that would translate to, "Fine, go ahead, go with him..." Now, God doesn't really want Balaam to curse "his" nation, but by now he's found a way to use Balaam to his advantage.

OH NO, God using people! This is probably the second reason why this story isn't mentioned a lot. Let's continue...

Balaam goes, and tricks the king into constructing the ornate altars (supposedly to curse Israel) and every time he begins the process, he ends up praising or blessing them instead....heck he even breaks out into song at one point (if I remember correctly, my memory on this story is hazy, and as I said, I'm too lazy to get that ole bible out...which is funny since it is two feet away right now)...

Wow, looks like this is just another story about the history of the Jews... probably because that is what this was, a children's story...pro Israel/Hebrew nation sort of thing...sure there are morals to the story, but in essence this is what it was, at least in my opinion.

Now, I'm not saying the donkey didn't actually talk, or that the invisible angel wasn't actually there, about to kill Balaam. Often myth is based upon real events, so I don't doubt there is at least a tiny bit of a factual basis for this event, although perhaps much of this is symbolic.

So if you were trying to effectively (whether sneakily or honestly) convert non-christians to your sect (cult or not), would you mention Hebrew folklore that involves a talking donkey and a schiester of a man doing good just to spite an overbearing king and get in good with God? (By the way, he later turned back to the side of evil, helped that king to promote ungodliness and prostitution in Israel, and then died a horrible death (supposedly because this made God unhappy)). Again my memory is fuzzy, but I think that how it happened (according to the English version of the old testament bibles).

I don't understand why they don't get straight to that story when we're in church though.

It is a cool story. And it does teach us important truths of spiritual life. God cares about his people. God uses people to exact his will. People use people to exact their wills. God works through good AND evil people. Evil people can be successful and do both good and evil. You don't HAVE to be a Jew, Christian or Muslim to be a man/woman of God, it is just strongly encouraged. Most religions want us to be good people of God, not evil people who happen to just do good. I mean, some interpretations of judeism go against this, but in general goodness and having faith is encouraged in western civilization.

Answer 5

Usually they wait until the person asks them a question like this one.

"What makes you think that you can tell me anything about God?".

Then they answer with the story you asked about and say "If God can use a dumb *** to speak for Him, then He can certainly use me too".

2 Peter 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb *** speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Answer 6

Jehovah's Witnesses knock on doors because we are commissioned to do so by Jesus Christ the head of our Congregation to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God, i.e., everlasting life here on earth in paradise conditions as God intended before Adam and Eve questioned his authority.

Answer 7

Ya know.... I'd actually open my door for a talking donkey.... or a bad squirrel, squirrels preferred...

Answer 8

What the hell are you talking about! That has no relevance at all. But if you want to bring that up, I can have someone call the men in white coats.

Answer 9

Most of them don't know about it.

Answer 10

Bad squirrell.....